Marketing for Small Business

Michelle Frechette Ames, MBAMarketedByMichelle.com

Chamber of Commerce

Benefits of Joining

1. Networking & Referrals2. Website presence (Good for SEO)3. Community visibility4. Venue for giving back5. Adds Credibility6. Newsletters & meetings/education

Benefits

•Networking & Referrals•Monthly meetings include:• Breakfasts• Lunches•Mixers/Happy Hours

Benefits

•Website presence• Your chamber listing is one more opportunity for you to be found on the Internet.• Can usually include logo, email, phone, and website link (and sometimes more).

Benefits

•Community visibility•Welcome packets• Event participation & sponsorship

Benefits

•Venue for giving back• Volunteer opportunities• Chamber donations

Benefits

•Credibility• Accountability• Stamp of approval

Benefits

•Newsletters & meetings/education• Keep up-to-date in your region/town• Business Tips

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• Small businesses are built on personal relationships.• All traffic is not profitable traffic: focus on your true target.

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How to Surpass your Competition• Education/Professional Development• Attend Conferences•Networking• Stay current: videos, books, articles, trade magazines/ezines

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Networking• Formal organizations (BNI, Tip Clubs, etc., or start your own)• Events within other organizations (Women’s clubs, Chamber meetings)• Paid events

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Freelancer? Small business owner?

You are your brand!

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Become an expert in something – set yourself apart from the rest!

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•Do my logo, collaterals, business cards, web site, etc. need refreshing?•Do they include all the important information?•Easy to navigate?

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Engage in social media

…but do not let it take over your life!(Right?)

• You need to have a Facebook business page or a Web page (or both)• You need to post to your Facebook page regularly (how regularly depends on your business)

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• Claim your Google Business listing• https://www.google.com/business

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To Groupon or not to Groupon?

Orig-inal Price

Sold Price Their

Cut Fees Your Cut

$0$10$20$30$40$50$60$70

$70.00

$35.00

$17.50$7.50 $10.00

Can be financially detrimentalExample: $70 service

Groupon will sell for $35Groupon will keep $17.50

You will “make” $10 (minus overhead, taxes)Bottom line: You will net about $10 of a $70 service, and you will have to honor ALL of the deals you sell

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Daily Deals: Groupon, Living Social, Amazon, Etc.• Are these the clients you want to attract to your

business?• Will your regular clients be able to get in?• Will you get a negative business reputation if new

clients can’t get in when they think they should be able to?• Many professionals feel that it cheapens their

profession…and how will that help YOU in the field?

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MarketingYour reputation is online, even if your business isn't. Take control of how the web world sees your business, and protect your bottom line. Check Yelp, Google, Angie’s List and more to see what is being said about you and engage your clients, respond to feedback.

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How will I market

myself this year?

• Postcards • Introduction letters • Newsletters• Website• Print Ads• Television• Radio• Blogging

Marketing Ideas

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Update your LinkedIn profile & company page

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ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYSCarry Business Cards

A Few More Things…• Update your website and social media sites – and keep

them updated and relevant.• Have a social media? Do they link back to your website?

Does your website link to them? They should!

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A Few More Things…• Do you tweet? Twitter limits you to 140 characters - which

can feel very stifling...but think about this...if you can't get your marketing point across in 140 characters, then maybe what you're trying to say IS too long. Today's attention spans are very short. Brevity is your friend. So tweet well...and tweet brief...and get your point across quickly.

• Why wait for clients to call you? Why not call them? Has it been awhile? Call to see how they are and suggest a next appointment!

• Did you know...photos and graphics make a bigger splash on Facebook than text and links? Consider saying it graphically…and make that graphic a 800x800 pixel square. It shows up better online.

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Research

• Stay Relevant• Know the Field• Determine Further Areas of Study• Be Better Able to Answer Questions• Contribute to the Conversation

•Ask today•Email me at michelle@marketedbymichelle.com •Call me at 585-749-5059• http://marketedbymichelle.com/blog/

Questions?